Automobile body and method os mahtts actuilisrg the same



Sept. 2. 1924. 1,507,551

C. H. WIDMAN AUTOMQBI'LE BODY AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME Filed Feb. 20. 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept-,2, 1924. 1,507,551

(3. H. WIDMAN w'romosma BODY AND METHOD OF muumc'ruawe was SAME Filed Feb. 20 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 anucntoz Clcaries v Wkiman s5 2, 1924. 1,507,551 i c. H. WIDMAN AUTOMOBILE BODY AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME Filed Feb. 20. 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet i avwcutoz C/mrd as A. i/Zim an Sept. 2, 1924.

c. H. WIDMAN AUTOMOBILE BODY AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME Filed Feb. 20, 1923 4 SheetsSheet 4 Patented Sept. 2, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES WIDMAN, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

AUTOMOBILE BODY AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME.

Application filed February 20, 1923. Serial No. 620,137.

mobile Bodies and Methods o'l irlanufactun mg the Same, of which the following is a specification, reference being bad therein to the accompanying drawings.

I This invention relates to vehicles and refers moreparticulnrly to the bodies thereof; An object of the invention is to simplify and to expedite the process of manufacturing vehicle bodies, While at the same time to obtain an improved construction.

Another object is to provide a construction in which the separate panels or elements of the body are enameled before assembly, so as to simplify the assembly of the ports, making possible their ettac Iment without marring the outer portions thereof, and at the same time permit theremov-ing thereof in case any of them ma become dama ed and the substitution of ike undamaged parts. Another object is to provide simple and effective means for securing the panels to the frame of the body and for concealing the securing means its-well as the crevices between the assembled panels, whereby the various parts after being enameled may be so suspended for drying that the edges from which the enamel dri s will be the edges which are concealed rom view.

\Vith the above and other objects in view the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be more fully described and particularly poi-ntedout int-he appended claims.

In the accompanyin drawings:

Figure 1 is aside e ovation ofa vehicle body embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a front elevation thereof Figure 3 is a perspective view of the vehicle bod) frame;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view through the rear end of the body;

Figure 5 is a. sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Figure 1; V

Figure 6 is asectional view taken on line 66 of Figure 1'; z y

' Fgi u-re 7 is a fragmentary horizontal sectionsl'view through the rearend of the body Figures 8, 9 and 10 respectively' are fragmentary sectional views of slightly modified constructions, showing the joining of cloth panels with metal ones.

In the present state of the art, bodies for motor vehicles are usually formed of metal panels mounted on a frame which is constructed of either metal-or wood. Where wooden frames are used the drying of the paint or enamel must be effected at comparatively low temperatures as otherwise the frames will be injured. On the other hand where metal frames are used, the enamel may be subjected to relatively high temperatures, resulting in a finish which is improved both in appearance and in durability. However, the assembled body on account of its] size and weight is inconvenient to handle and occupies a. great deal of valuable space in the finishing ovens. With the present invention, 'I-combine a baked enamel finish with .a wooden frame construction and 1 also simplify the ens-meling process by enumeling the separate panels or elements of the body before assembly,

Referring now to the drawings in which like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the numeral 1 designates a vehicle body-havinga frame 2 which is'preferably constructed of wood and which is preferably of the construction illustrated in Figure 3. As shown in thisfigure, the frame is composed of the sill members 3, post members 4, a top, 5 and the other usual elements of such iii-structure.

A plurality of metallic panels 6 overlie the frame as. illustrated in Figure 1 and form the finished exterior of the body. These panels are preferably enameled before they are assembled and are preferably provided at their margins with a series of spertures 7 which receive the nails, screws or other devices 8 for 'seourin the panels to the frame. The adjacent ec ges of the panels are not joined directly to each other and to conceal the crevicestherebetween -end [the securing devices, suitable finishing strips of molding 9 are used. Each strip of molding 9 is preferably constructed of metal and is secured in position over the crevices between the panels 6 by means of the bolts '10 and'n-uts 11. The heads 12 of thebolts are preferably located between the transversely curved outer surface 13 and the spaced fiat inner surfaces '14 of the moldi-n while the shim-ks 15 of the bolts extend t rough the woodwork of the frame and are engaged by the nuts 11. "These nuts are preferably located in recesses 16 in the woodwork of the frame 2 and may be adjusted upon the shanks of the bolts to clamp the flat portions 14 of the molding between the heads of the bolts and the panels 6 upon opposite sides of the joint. The shanks 15 of the bolts are preferably provided adjacent totheir heads with square portions'l? which are disposed between the adjacent edges of the flatportions 1.4 so that the bolts will be prevented from turning when the nuts are adjusted.

The doors 1Sof the body are also preferably provided with enameled metallicpanels 19 which overlie wooden frames 2- .),a1'id the crevices between the panels 19, and the strips 21, which are provided adjacent the windows, are preferably concealed by means of molding 22 which is preferably similar. in construction to the molding 9. The doors may be pivotally mounted in any suitable manner upon the frame of the body and are preferably provided at their free edges with strips of molding 23 which conceal the securing elements 24 and which are adapted to abut and overlap the adjacent panels 6 on the frame of the body when the doors are closed. As shown in Figure 7 the strips 23 are preferably T-shape in cross-section and the webs 25 thereof are preferably secured by means of nails 26 to the frames 20 of the doors.

If desired, a slightly different form of molding may be used to conceal the securing elements and the crevices between the enameledpanels of either the body or the doors. As-shown in Figure 8, solid strips of molding 27, havin transversely curved inner and outer surfaces 28 and 29 respectively,

are secured in ositiou over the adjacent ends of the pane 6 and conceal the secur-' ing-elements 30 and the crevices between the panels. This form of molding may also be used at .the rear of the body to conceal the joints between the side and back panels as illustrated in Figure 7.

The entire exterior finish of the body may be constructed of metal panels, but portions of this finish are preferably formed of fabric. Thus, as shown in Figure 9, an enanr eled metalli panel 31 is adjacent to a fabric panel or covering 32 and in addition to a metallic strip of molding 33, which is preferably constructed similar to the molding 27 and which is preferably secured to the metal panel 31 adjacent to the fabric covering 32,-an adjoining sup lemental .strip of molding 34 is secured to 't is fabric covering 32. The molding; 34 is preferably constructed of fabric which is preferably i'oldcd around suitable reinforceing elements such as a rod 35 and a strip 36 which may be formed of any suitable material. 'The nails 37 used to secure the fabric covering 32 to the'frame of the body are preferably driven throughthe two inner plies 38 of the molding 34, and the reinforcing strip 36 and fabric covering therefor are then secured by any suitable means to the plies so as to conceal the heads of the nails.

In Figure 10, I have shown a fabric panel or covering 40 secured to the frame of the body and an adjoining enameled panel 41 which forms the cowl of the vehicle. A. strip of molding 42 corresponding tothe strip of molding 34 is preferably used to conceal the securing elements 43 and the crevices between the fabric covering i0 and the metal panel 41.

While it is believed that from the foregoing description, the nature and advantages of the invention will'be readily apparent, I desire to have it understood that I do not limit myself to what is herein shown and described and that such changes may be resorted to when desired as fall within the sco e of what is claimed.

hat I claim as my invention is:

l. The method of manufacturing an automobile body which consists in first forming a plurality of panels and strips and a cowl so as to )rovide some of them with bent edges and some with bends intermediate their edges to form corner portions, then enameling said panels, strips and cowl and then assemblin them to a wooden body frame with Sfl-lfil bent edges turned over portions of the frame.

2. The method of manufacturing an auto- 3 mobile body which consists in first formin a plurality of panels and strips and a cow so as to edges an some with bends intermediate their edges to form corner portions, then enemeling said panels, strios and cowl and then removably securingt cm by separate securing means to a wooden body frame with said bent edges turned over portions of the frame, to form an outer shell of separably removable and separately applied parts. a a

3. An automobile body comprising a wooden frame and a plurality of pro-formed panels, strips and a cowl, some of which have bent edges and. some bent portions intermecliat'etheir edges to form corner portions, all of which have been provided with a finishing coatin before assembly to the frame and after eing formed, and means for securing said panels, strips and cowl to said-frame with said bent edges turned over portions of said frame.

4. An automobile bod comprising a wooden frame and a plurally panels, strips and a cowl, some'of which have bent e gas and some bent portions intermediate their edges to form corner portions, all of which have been provided with" a finishing coating before assembly to the frame and after being formed, and means of pro-formed for removably securing said panels, strips and cowl to said frame by individual securing means.

'5. An automobile bod comprising a wooden frame and a plurality of pre-formed and pie-enameled panel strips and'a cowl,

removably and separate y secured directly to said frame, some of said pro-formed panels and strips being secured to form door and window openings and having preformed bent edges secured over portions of said frame, hidden from exterior view.

6. An automobile body comprising 'a wooden frame and a plurality of pre-formed parts forming a casing for said frame, some of which parts have bent edges and some bent portions intermediate their edges to form corner portions, which parts have been provided with a finishing coating before assembly to the frame and after being formed, and means for securing said parts to said frame with said bent edges turned over ortions of said frame.

7. automobile body comprising a wooden frame and a plurality of pre-formed parts forming a casing for said frame, some of which parts have'bent edges and some bent portions intermediate their edges to form corner portions, which parts have been provided with a finishing coatin before assembly to the frame and after being formed and means for removabl securing said parts to said frame by indivi ual securing means.

8. An automobile body comprising a .wooden frame and a plurality of re-formed parts forming a casing for said ame, some of which parts have bent ed s and some bent portions intermediate t eir edges to form corner rtions, which parts have been provided wit a protective coating before assembly to the frame and after being a formed, and means for securing said parts to said frame with said bent edges turned over rtions of said frame.

9. n automobile body comprising a wooden frame and a plurality of pre-formed parts forming a casing for said frame, some of which parts have bent ed es and some bent portions intermediate t eir edges to.

ture.

CHARLES H. WIDMAN. 

